Window on My World

NAME

Philip Cobb

CORPS

Hendon

FAMILY BACKGROUND

Parents Stephen and Elaine and
brother Matthew

WHEN DID YOU START TO PLAY
AND WHO TAUGHT YOU?

One Christmas when I was
three and a half my grandfather
[Roland] gave me a battered
Bandmaster cornet; this meant that
I could copy my dad and brother
playing the cornet. When I was
seven, lessons began officially;
my dad taught me cornet and
Marjorie Ringham taught me piano.

WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?

I have been first trumpet in the
London Symphony Orchestra (LSO)
for almost five years.

HOW DID YOU GET THERE?

At 18 I studied for a degree in music
at the Guildhall School of Music and
Drama, London. During those four
years I played in various orchestras
in London and around the UK.
Halfway through my fourth year
I worked with the London Symphony
Orchestra and on my final day at
college my role as principal trumpet
was signed, sealed and delivered!

WHAT MUSIC PARTICULARLY
INSPIRES YOU?

I like all sorts of music – jazz, big
band, classical.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE
COMPOSERS?

As a trumpet player, I like the
composers that keep me busy such
as Mahler and Shostakovich. As far
as the Army’s concerned there’s
Kenneth Downie, Wilfred Heaton
and Paul Sharman. I used to billet
with Paul when I was in the ISB; he’s
a good friend who writes for me.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR
CAREER AS A MUSICIAN?

There are a couple of highlights that
particularly stand out. One has to be
the Youth Makes Music Gospel Arts
concert at the Royal Albert Hall when
I played solos alongside the staff
band. The other highlight was the
2012 Olympics. The LSO had
contributed background music and
I had the opportunity to play at
the opening and closing of the
Paralympics – it felt just like another
gig at the time, but now I realise it
was something that will never
happen like that again.

WHAT INTERESTS DO YOU HAVE?

I’m an Arsenal [Arsenal Football Club, Halloway, London] fan, I play golf and
I try to keep fit by running.

WHO HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT
INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE?

My dad – not just musically – but as
a man. Others include Paul Beniston
and Wynton Marsalis. Paul or ‘Benny’
is first trumpet in the London
Philharmonic Orchestra and has a
Salvation Army background. He
helped me understand the profession
but above all we just had a great
teacher/pupil relationship. With
Wynton Marsalis – well he was
someone I idolised as a kid and to
meet the man, who was so warm
towards me, was fantastic. It was
great to meet a hero who’s such a
gentleman as well!

HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE
OF SALVATION ARMY MUSIC?

Having been at TYB [Territorial Youth Band] and TYC [Territorial Youth Chorus] in
February, I felt extremely excited by
the people and their talent. I was part
of the staff team, but I started out as
one of the students and haven’t
missed a year yet. If you haven’t been
there, you need to get down to the
festival to experience it. I hope this
traditional side of Army music will stay.

IS THERE A SONG THAT HAS
HELPED YOU?

‘Don’t Doubt Him Now’ – it’s strange,
I don’t really know all the words, but
the music speaks to me.

WHAT’S YOUR HOPE FOR THE
FUTURE?

I’m happy to keep doing what I’m
doing. I’ve got the job I enjoy and
more of the same would be great.
I also want to continue my Salvation
Army music ministry.

Originally published April 19, 2014. Reproduced with the kind permission of Salvationist magazine.

B/M Ronald Waiksnoris interviewed Philip when he visited the United States in 2008 and that video interview can still be viewed here.